Cowries series

Hello there,

It'is been a while and I hope everyone is keeping well!
Never has such a small object been so important and powerful!
Although the cowrie has been used as currency and an object of exchange as far back as 13th century in China, its use was not only limited to monetary functions.  It is also used for spiritual practices and is said to have powers over fertility.  It is also found in decoration of: ceremonial objects, clothes, buttons, and even attached as decorations on our braids to make ourselves more beautiful. 

 Cowries have always been part of my culture and so it was quite natural to integrate it into my creations.  I feel connected to the cowries.  Even beyond cowries, I feel deeply connected to all those little things that have been part of my existence and that have made me the person I am today. I think my jewelry is connected to my memory

The cowries were also used by fortune-tellers to read the future. This is still practiced today, even here in the Western countries.To the wise eye, there are different kinds of cowries. Obviously, the real ones are the ones that are dull, and those are the ones that I have always known. Because later, other more brilliant cowries have appeared on the traditional African markets.  Made in China, it would seem!  Of course these are polished and waxed and some are even dyed.  However, in reality, cowries come mainly from the Maldives, but they are also found in the Pacific Islands. It would be the Arab merchants who would have introduced them in Africa.
 Here, in my "cowrie series" the cowrie is used as an object of decoration to promote a feeling of well-being, a spiritual approach to return to my roots.

 The cowries transmit the strength, the power, and the beauty of the oceans along with an anchoring towards the Mother Earth, for better communication and understanding of her.  Through this interaction, both spiritual and aesthetic, it brings peace and pleasure to the soul which helps us feel good with both ourselves, and with others.

These cowries have been carefully selected by me, and my niece's cousin.
 Around this series, I associate the cowries with objects that speak to me and some with whom I had a connection to create these unique pieces.  Both for visual and pure beauty, but also for the comfort of the soul.
 With you, these cowries will continue to tell their story.

Refine style with these: Nepalese beads + vintage amulet tube

Handmade from dark clay combine into a simple stylish tribal earrings all topped with ammonite gemstones

Adorned with handmade ceramic weathered looking egg shell crackle bead caps, vintage tribal tube,natural linen, wax by me with organic Beeswax

Amazing combination,here with a little dotty triangle ceramic dangle made from soft South African clay.

 If one day you are ever in Brussels, and you are in the mood to visit a museum, stop at the museum of  bank.  There, you will find cowries on display to show one of the many forms of money that was used long ago.   Back in the old days a bank would have been full of cowries. 

Thank you for stopping by! 

Sebèkolo collection

At all times, throughout the history of the world, men and women of all cultures, whatever their origins, their locations, their beliefs, have always possessed a symbolic object to protect themselves from evil spirits and/or to attract the good graces of the spirits.  The object commonly referred to as: an amulet, a talisman, or Gris-Gris depending on the name given in the region of the people who wear them, has various meaning and significance for whoever wears them.  Whoever wears the object is free to interpret the meaning of it from their own beliefs and traditions.  The symbolism of the object is associated to them.

It is on this theme that I created the Sebèkolo collection.
Sebèkolo is a malinké word, which means protection.

I have always thought that both amulet and talisman offer protection to whomever wears it. I was quite surprised to learn that there is a subtle difference between them.

First let's explain this difference !

"An amulet is an object whose most important characteristic is the power ascribed to it to protect its owner from danger or harm.  Amulets are different from talismans as a talisman is believed to bring  luck or some other benefit, though it can offer protection as well.^"

^{Source wikipedia}

I made this necklace with an antique key which is archeological dug, on which I dangled a fossilized Orthoceras, also known as "Straight Horn" from Mother Earth's underwater garden,

tied with Tibetan mala seed, bone and Dzi beads, petrified rainbow wood, a leather bag (reused from a tibetan necklace) and handmade ceramic drop bead.

Each of these gemstones have their own properties, but when associated together, they have a protective and healing power.

I wire wrapped handmade ceramic egg shell  crackled tube beads with pure copper wire, then, used vintage rusty metal skeleton key with  patina as pendant and I dangled a variety of artisan beads, intricately handmade leather bag with a cowry shell, handmade tribal ceramic drop,deer antler, wood bead and silk ribbon.

Amulet vary considerable according to their time and place of origin.

I made this simple and elegant amulet which has a powerful healing resonance to them.  It has African turquoise, mixed gemstones, handmade lampwork bead etched with tribal Sgraffito design.

   

Dangled from the necklace is a vintage Ethiopian camel bone pendants which is also known as medicine stick pendants, as they were used by the tribe's Shaman for healing purposes.

The circular pattern was believed to protect from the evil eye.

Amulets are like magic charms, worn by people to protect themselves from negative energies, evil and injury, and also to bring good luck.


As always, thank you so much for stopping by!